Has anyone read this Forgotten Realms series? It's about the return of the Netherese city of Shade to Faerun. I thought it was quite good, started strongly and tailed off a bit towards the 3rd book, but entertaining nonetheless. Written by Troy Denning who at least knows how to craft a decent storyline. The third book is the weakest of the three, IMO. What did others think of it?

Anyone...? [img]redface.gif[/img]

haven't read it yet, I'm re-reading LotR (on two towers now) and after that the 10th WoT book will be out, so I'll probably get to it sometime after that, then the thousand orcs later on.

<font color=skyblue>I have finally finished reading this trilogy, though I have yet to read the Anthology "Realms of Shade". It took me this long because my PC had been down for two weeks! Anyway, I really enjoyed it and I leared alot about The Shadow Weave. I used to role play a character on the RP forum that had this ability coming to him, and these books have helped me understand more about the power this magic has. It is really neat stuff.

If anyone wants to discuss this trilogy with me with spoilers included, post here and I will be glad to talk while it is still fresh on my mind. </font>

it was ok.. although it caters to all the high level characters in the story and nothing about the others.. i mean.. all high arch-mages and all powerful groups were not helpful at all.. not spoiling though [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=skyblue>In case anyone is interested...here is Vala's sword description as explained in a WOTC publishing...</font>

Vala's Darksword: (minor artifact)
+5 Longsword ignores Weave based magical armor bounses and magic armor enhancments. Wielder gains darkvision (60ft), causes 1d4 points cold damage to wielder if not of the family who originally received the sword (except Melegaunt).
As long as both are on the same plane she can have the weapon fly to her.

I read the first book and it was excellent my lore of the Nethersse empire and the arch wizards and the magic weave was all expanded i also liked the whole elf motif and how that elven city with the mythal and what not. My favorite part was the part where King Imesfor went to waterdeep and was chilling with Khelben and Elminister...now that would be fun!!

I loved it! Memnoch - I think I read the last book in three days because I couldn't put it down. I thought it was the icing on the cake. To each his own I guess. I never finished the anthology because it really didn't go anywhere, seeming to just be bits and pieces of nothing that related. I don't recommend it, but like I said I didn't read the whole thing so it may have gotten really good. Yeah, whatever. ;)

I liked the inner battle Gaeleron had going on, never knowing if he'd choose the dark side or the force, so to speak, and was pleasantly surprised with his final solution.

Since reading the series I've been looking for more of Denning's books and came across a four parter entitled the Avatar Series. He wrote the third and fourth books I think. Book one was good, now I have to find the next one.

Don't get me wrong, I thought the 3rd book was great - I just thought the first two were better. The action seemed compressed in the 3rd book - it would have been good if he'd made it a bit longer, it seemed a bit rushed. It was a great trilogy all up. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I thought the avatar trilogy was a bit weak, if you want some truly excellent Troy Denning novels try reading his Dark Sun books, very good novels but a bit hard to find.